Jude getting ready for the Pentathlon

Every fifth grade class in Waldorf studies ancient Greece. And part of that study involves the ancient Olympics that began in Greece almost 3,000 years ago. They learn about the different events in these Olympics and they train all year for an all day ancient pentathlon. There are five events: sprint, long jump, roman wrestling, discus and long run. They also do a javelin throw at the end.

The Denver Waldorf School 5th Grade singing to Zeus and Athena

Six Waldorf schools from all over the region went to Boulder on Friday for the Pentathlon. They traveled from as far as Kansas and New Mexico. Jude was only lukewarm on the whole thing although he did like missing a day of regular school. I took the day off work, so Marcy and I drove Jude to Boulder very early while Anna went to a friend’s house before school. All the kids do not compete for their school, rather they are divided into five ancient city states – Jude was in Ithaca. His favorite event of the day was the long run. He did really well here. He came second in his heat, second in the semi-final and then third in the final. A pretty good effort out of 100 kids or so.

Jude showing his determination near the finish line of the long run final

Today was Mothers Day and Jude was the first one up. Without any prompting he made Marcy yogurt and granola and cut up some strawberries as well. Anna got up to make Marcy coffee just the way she likes it. Marcy went to the gardening store to buy some plants and we worked in the yard most of the day. We have some nice pots filled with flowers on our back porch now.

Marcy wakes up to coffee and breakfast courtesy of Jude and Anna